BELOW Debuts on Blu-Ray But in an Inferior 2.0 Stereo Soundtrack
This Miramax/Echo Bridge Blu-Ray double-feature is a good news/bad news type of situation, because although this two-fer includes the lousy Jaume Balaguero effort "Darkness" (previously released), it also debuts David Twohy's superb 2002 thriller BELOW -- but unfortunately in a somewhat crippled 2.0 stereo soundtrack.
In "Below," a crew on an American sub during WWII rescues three survivors from a sunken British ship, only to find out that their own vessel is haunted while they attempt to flee from an enemy cruiser! This smart, exciting ghost story/action thriller manages to deliver on its intriguing premise penned by Darren Aronofsky, Lucas Sussman, and director David Twohy. Perhaps it figures, then, that "Below" was cast off by the Dimension/Miramax powers-at-be and barely released, surfacing in a few late night screenings in various metropolitan venues before being sent to video. At a time when so many genre films are either gory or derivative (or both), "Below" offers a...
Good films
BELOW is by far the better of the two movies on this disc, but I still like DARKNESS, which is atmospheric (if ultimately not terribly coherent). To be clear, DARKNESS is the longer 102 minute version. The film was originally released in the U.S. in a PG-13 88 minute cut.
David Twohy's Haunted Masterpiece
BELOW is easily the best horror movie since de Palma's CARRIE (with the exception of THE OTHERS). It is a flawless masterpiece of film making. On par with ROSEMARY'S BABY, THE OMEN, THE EXORCIST and Wise's THE HAUNTING. In the top 5 or 10 horror films of the 20th century. Yes, it really is that good. David Twohy is a superb craftsman. It is a shame he does not make more movies. If I were in charge of Hollywood, I would let him do whatever he wants.
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